I. COURSE DESCRIPTION Syllabus for GBIB 611 Theology of the Old Testament 3 Credit Hours Fall 2008 A survey of the major doctrines of the Old Testament with special reference to their historical development within the political and religious institutions of ancient Israel. Prerequisite: GBIB 505 or 551. The theology of the Old Testament is concerned with an understanding of God and His selfrevelation as this is found in the canonical Scriptures. Two concerns guide the development of the study. The first entails an examination of the underlying unity in the communication of God with Israel. The second deals with the ways God dealt with Israel as His revelation of Himself moved toward a completed salvation in Jesus Christ. II. COURSE GOALS The purpose of this course is to enable the student to do the following: A. Study theological developments in the Old Testament within the context of a biblical worldview vis-à-vis a contemporary worldview. B. Develop insight in the literary corpus comprising the Old Testament Scriptures. C. Study the contributions of history, cult, prophecy, and wisdom to theological developments within Israel. III. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS COURSE As a result of successfully completing this course, the student will be able to do the following: A. Identify and discuss the unifying themes of the Old Testament and the relevance to the Christian life and witness. B. Trace the theme of salvation in the Old Testament as holy history with reference to sin and atonement, death and future life, sacrifice, and cult and eschatology. C. Describe the attributes of God such as holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, love, and judgment. D. Explain the nature of man in the Old Testament with reference to man as creature, flesh, spirit, and image of God, male and female. E. Define and explain Torah and prophetism, especially in relation to ethical norms and the responsibilities of the individual. F. Trace the development of the concept of covenant in Israel s history. GBIB 611 Latest Revision: Fall 2008 5/5/2008 1
IV. TETBOOKS AND OTHER LEARNING RESOURCES A. Required Materials 1. Textbooks Kaiser, Jr., Walter. The Promise-Plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008. 2. Other None B. Optional Materials 1. Textbooks None 2. Other None V. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Strobel, Lee. Case for a Creator. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 2005. A. University Policies and Procedures 1. Attendance at each class or laboratory is mandatory at Oral Roberts University. Excessive absences can reduce a student s grade or deny credit for the course. 2. Students taking a late exam because of an unauthorized absence are charged a late exam fee. 3. Students and faculty at Oral Roberts University must adhere to all laws addressing the ethical use of others materials, whether it is in the form of print, video, multimedia, or computer software. By submitting an assignment in any form, the student gives permission for the assignment to be checked for plagiarism, either by submitting the work for electronic verification or by other means. 4. Final exams cannot be given before their scheduled times. Students need to check the final exam schedule before planning return flights or other events at the end of the semester. 5. Students are to be in compliance with university, school, and departmental policies regarding eportfolio requirements. Students should consult the eportfolio handbooks for requirements regarding general education and the students majors. a. The penalty for not submitting electronically or for incorrectly submitting an eportfolio artifact is a zero for that assignment. b. By submitting an assignment, the student gives permission for the assignment to be assessed electronically. GBIB 611 Latest Revision: Fall 2008 5/5/2008 2
B. School of Theology and Missions Policies and Procedures 1. Completion of Assignments Assignments are due on the dates established in the course calendar, which is published in the syllabus. Any assignments turned in after the scheduled due date are penalized five percent (5%) of the original value per day including weekends, breaks, and holidays. All work turned in two weeks after the assignment deadline is received but is granted a grade of zero for that assignment. No work is accepted after the final date of regular classes. 2. Incompletes a. An incomplete is given only after the student establishes with the academic committee by written petition that student s work is incomplete for good cause (i.e., lengthy illness, death in the family). Incompletes are rarely granted. Only those absences that are incurred within the time period of the extenuating circumstances prompting an incomplete are excused. The student is still accountable for any other absences and will be penalized for them according to the attendance policy. b. A Petition for Incomplete Grade with all supporting documentation must be submitted for approval one week prior to the end of normal classes. The submitting of a petition does not automatically ensure the granting of an incomplete. The petition must be approved by the academic committee of the School of Theology and Missions. Students are expected to continue all course work until an incomplete is granted. 3. Examinations a. Early examinations are not allowed. Late examinations without grade penalty are administered only when extenuating circumstances are present (such as a death in the family the week before exams or a sudden and major illness the week of exams that is documented by a physician). b. A Petition for Late Examination must be submitted to the academic dean s office. A $15 fee, plus proper documentation, must accompany the petition. The academic committee reviews each petition and grade penalties are assessed. (Late exam fee is not a grade penalty.) c. Students taking late exams should expect alternate versions of the original exams. d. Not being present for the final examination automatically results in failure of the course. 4. Attendance The Official Attendance Policy for the School of Theology and Missions is as follows: a. If the class meets three times a week, the missing of 6 class sessions results in a grade reduction of one letter grade. Missing 8 class sessions results in a grade reduction of two letter grades. Missing 12 class sessions automatically results in a grade of F. If a class meets twice a week, the missing of 4 class sessions results in a grade reduction of one letter grade. Missing 6 class sessions results in a grade reduction of two letter grades. Missing 8 class sessions automatically results in a grade of F. If the class meets once a week, then the missing of 3 class sessions results in a grade reduction of one letter grade. Missing 4 class sessions results in a grade reduction of two letter grades. Missing 5 class sessions automatically results in a grade of F. GBIB 611 Latest Revision: Fall 2008 5/5/2008 3
b. The absences allowed prior to a grade reduction are designed to allow for emergencies and illnesses and are not designed for indiscriminate use. c. Administrative excuses are granted only when a student is on official university business and has received approval in advance from the university administration. d. Students are expected to be prompt for classes. e. Students are expected to remain for the entire class session. f. Leaving early without permission constitutes an absence. C. Course Policies and Procedures 1. Evaluation Procedures a. Term paper 33% Midterm exam 33% Final exam 34% b. Grading scale: A=90-100% B=80-89% C=70-79% D=60-69% F=59% and below c. Each student submits a term paper directly related to the subject of Old Testament theology. The subject matter of the proposed research topic is determined by consultation with the professor. The term paper must be 8 to 10 pages in length and must demonstrate the student s ability to do research on a given topic. The paper is due during the last class session of week twelve. Turabian form and style are required in the presentation of the term paper, and Courier New, 12 point, is the required font. d. On the last class session of each week, each student submits a reading report on a 3-by-5-inch card listing the reading for that week. The student s name must appear in the upper left corner of the card, and the number of the week covered in the reading report must appear in the upper right corner. At the left margin, directly under the student s name, the name of the author is placed with the number of pages read. Failure to complete the assigned readings results in a loss of a letter grade at the discretion of the professor. 2. eportfolio Requirements a. All students entering the seminary are required to enroll in PRF 059 eportfolio: Journey to a Transformed Life, which provides specific training to develop the skills needed to create an eportfolio. b. eportfolio requirements for this course: The term paper for GBIB 611 Theology of the Old Testament may be used as an eportfolio artifact demonstrating sound scholarship and critical thinking or theological reflection. 3. Other Policies and/or Procedures The class is conducted in a lecture format. However, peer interaction is encouraged. Opportunity is provided for informal discussion of questions raised by class interaction. GBIB 611 Latest Revision: Fall 2008 5/5/2008 4
VI. COURSE CALENDAR Week Topic Reading 1 The Old Testament as Canon pp. 7-29 The God of Creation 2 The God of Israel pp. 31-50 The Trinity (Intercalate) 3 The Names of God pp. 51-71 The Nature of the Covenant God 4 Biblical Cosmology pp. 71-91 The Word and the Spirit in Creation 5 General Revelation: Wisdom Literature (Intercalate) pp. 93-113 Special Revelation: Dreams, Visions, Oracles 6 The Covenant Relationship pp. 113-133 Election, the Basis of the Covenant 7 Israelite Law: Torah pp. 133-151 Israelite Worship 8 Purity and Sacrificial Rites pp. 153-173 Midterm Exam 9 Sacrificial Worship, continued pp. 173-191 Holy History 10 Sin and Judgment pp. 191-217 Judgment: Restoration of the Covenant 11 The Official Leaders: Priesthood and Monarchy pp. 219-239 The Revelation of God s Presence 12 The Spirit of God pp. 239-259 The Word of God Term Paper Due 13 The Preservation of Creation pp. 259-279 The Celestial World 14 Sin and Forgiveness pp. 279-305 Old Testament Morality 15 The Individual and Community The Hope of Salvation Final Exam (university schedule) GBIB 611 Latest Revision: Fall 2008 5/5/2008 5
Course Inventory for ORU s Student Learning Outcomes GBIB 611 Theology of the Old Testament Dr. William McDonald, Instructor Fall 2008 This course contributes to the ORU student learning outcomes as indicated below: Significant Addresses the outcome directly and includes targeted assessment. Moderate Addresses the outcome directly or indirectly and includes some assessment. Minimal Addresses the outcome indirectly and includes little or no assessment. No Does not address the outcome. The Student Learning Glossary at http://ir.oru.edu/doc/glossary.pdf defines each outcome and each of the proficiencies/capacities. Outcomes & Proficiencies/Capacities Significant Moderate Minimal No 1 Outcome #1 Spirit-Filled Living Entry-level competency Possesses Christian 1A character, personal integrity, a sense of calling, and a demonstrated interest in ministry-related endeavors Mid-level competency Exemplifies the fruit of 1B the Spirit, spiritual gifts, ongoing spiritual growth, and clarification of a call to ministry Candidacy-level competency Demonstrates involvement in charismatic signs and wonders and 1C integration of ethics and personal integrity in the healing ministry in obedience to a defined call to ministry 2 Outcome #2 Academic Excellence 2A Entry-level competency Demonstrates an aptitude for graduate theological education Mid-level competency Practices theological 2B reflection and sound scholarship in acquiring knowledge through learning and research 2C Candidacy-level competency Evidences critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making 3 Outcome #3 Professional Competence 3A Entry-level competency Demonstrates awareness of professional requirements Mid-level competency Communicates 3B discipline-specific information effectively in written and spoken discourse as pertaining to ministry calling Candidacy-level competency Integrates 3C leadership in ministry and academic excellence with Spirit-led practices of ministry 4 Outcome #4 Cultural Relevance 4A Entry-level competency Demonstrates knowledge about cultural diversity 4B Mid-level competency Pursues participation in diverse social/cultural contexts Candidacy-level competency Evidences skill 4C while engaging in healing, ministry, and acts of justice and mercy in diverse contexts GBIB 611 Latest Revision: Fall 2008 5/5/2008 6